Colorado bill to create grants for migrant aid groups sparks debate
DENVER (KDVR) — Over the weekend, lawmakers debated a measure to support migrants coming to Colorado over the next year. Controversy from the weekend spilled into Monday’s session about what words should and should not be used to describe people immigrating to the U.S.
“I, at one point in my life before coming to this country, was an illegal alien,” state Rep. Ron Weinberg said from the House floor on Saturday before the body was put into a brief recess.
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The controversial comment came as lawmakers debated a bill looking to create a new grant program for community groups helping migrants. The debate caused disagreement among House Democrats and Republicans. Republicans argued the bill would create “handouts” instead of “hand-ups,” using controversial terms to reference people immigrating to Colorado.
“I feel like I lifted myself up with all the opportunities that this country provided. I was never given medical by the government, I was never given a check, I had to go through the system being fresh off the boat,” Weinberg said.
Republicans came to well Monday, saying they were given a list of offensive words surrounding immigration from Democratic leadership. The list includes several terms that Weinberg, who immigrated to the U.S. himself, used on the House floor.
“I know that you are talking about yourself, I appreciate that. Many people find words like that to be pejorative,” state Rep. Kyle Brown, who chaired the committee of whole as the bill was debated, cautioned Weinberg after he started speaking to the bill.
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The bill would create a new welcome, reception and immigration program through the state’s Department of Labor and Employment to help community organizations that help newcomers adjust to American culture and connect families with services for things like school enrollment, housing and employment.
Groups working to help with new arrivals since the influx started, like the Village Exchange Center in Aurora, are frustrated with the political back and forth on a measure meant to provide relief.
“This has become a wedge issue, which is unfortunate because I think a lot of Republicans and Democrats alike, all could very easily support new arrivals as long as they can come in and work and add to community,” said Amanda Blaurock, executive director and cofounder of the Village Exchange Center. “This type of legislation sets up an infrastructure that will ultimately allow these individual nonprofits to then fundraise on their own so that they can bring in additional support for these communities.”
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The bill would require a $2.5 million appropriation from the state’s general fund. It’s set for a final vote in the House as early as Tuesday.
There are a little more than two weeks left in this year’s legislative session.
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